(57) @ A tissue specimen processing capsule (10) is provided which includes a pair of
interlocking frames (18a, 18b) each having a porous web (22) spread across its central
openings (19) for holding specimen in a region defined between the webs. The porous
webs permit access to the specimen by processing and impregnating liquids. After the
tissue specimen (12) is processed, it is removed from the capsule and placed in a
mold depression (50), and the empty capsule (10) is placed over the depression. Molten
casting material is poured into the mold to fill the depression and to cover the porous
material. The molten casting material solidifies to form a tissue block (16) with
the capsule (10) serving as a clampable base for an outwardly extending, tissue-containing
portion. The capsule may be formed in a single operation in an injection molding process
using a press that includes a pair of mold blocks that together define frame-forming
cavities and between which is sandwiched a segment of an elongated web of porous material
(22). Molten plastic, injected into the cavities, forms the frames (18a, 18b) and
impregnate portions of the web within the cavity, and the molten plastic solidifies
with the porous material permanently affixed to newly molded frames.
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